The Market Stores, Reigate

Blandised Fuller's place - any charm and character has been ruthlessly eliminated and every non-floor surface is smothered in a slightly greener version of battleship grey. The main bar area is a cavernous nothingness. Two cask, Pride and a Dark Star. The former was long in the tooth and lacklustre (NBSS 2) which served as a handy metaphor for the place itself. You’d expect a Fuller’s pub in a posh town like Reigate to be much better than this.

This large Fuller's pub, situated pretty much slap bang in the centre of the town appears to be quite a popular haunt. Located just in front of Reigate Caves, it has a garden on the first floor level. Whilst I didn't venture upstairs, it seemed to be the place to head to. At ground level, there is a single large space that is quite modern in appearance, but is reasonably nicely decorated. A further outdoor space can be found to the side of the building in the passageway. The young bar staff seemed quite amenable, but were not too efficient in their service. Fuller's London Pride is the regular cask ale. Additional beers from the Fuller's stable were Gale's Spring Sprinter & Dark Star Hophead. I'd never actually tried the Spring Sprinter before and I have to say that I was very impressed. Indeed, it was possibly my favourite beer of the day. In addition to the cask ales, there were also 2 or 3 interesting craft beers. The Market Stores wasn't initially on my shortlist of pubs to visit in Reigate. But I would happily come here again.

Large pub in centre of town with street level and upstairs bars, and garden extending onto the hill behind. Visited at a quiet time of day which made the inside feel as cavernous as the caves behind. The eclectic mix of furniture features a lot of high stools and benches, with only a couple of 'comfortable' corners, which were of course occupied. London Pride and Oliver's Islands were the beers on offer, although there were some interesting-looking keg craft beers if you like that sort of thing.

This is a centrally located Fullers pub, easily reached from Reigate train station via the path and tunnel next to the Castle Grounds. You enter into a large, bare boarded room where the first thing that strikes you is quite how much open space there is between the entrance and the bar. This created a rather plain and soulless effect on a quiet Saturday afternoon visit and resulted in pockets of customers dotted around the pub, but no activity in the centre of the room or around the bar. The servery is midway down the left hand wall and has a semi-circular counter and high dark wood bar back. A couple of high tables and fixed benches can be found in this open area, but the seating is for the most part consigned to the periphery. To the right of the entrance is a small carpeted raised space with a single armchair, one fixed bench and some standard chairs, whilst to the left there are some upturned barrels with high stools. The largest group of seating is in a distinct area to the rear of the room, where another barrel and some long high tables can be found in a tile floored area with windows looking out to the side passage and a door on the back wall signposted to the tunnels which run below the Castle Grounds (also sadly accompanied with a 'Staff Only' notice). A few old enamel adverts have been put on display, along with nice floral arrangements and some plain mirrors. Stairs next to the bar lead up to a first floor dining room, but the kitchen had just closed when we arrived, so we didn't venture up to take a look. Three hand pumps were facing the door as we entered and these were dispensing Fullers London Pride, Oliver's Island and Gales Seafarers. I also noted three more pumps further round the bar, which I initially assumed were serving the same three beers, but turned out to have guest ales, which I then failed to note. I had a pint of the Oliver's Island which was kept reasonably well and served to me by a nice, personable barman. I thought this well positioned Fullers pub would be a smart or grand affair, but I found it rather disappointing and devoid of almost any character. The place has the location and potential to become an essential port of call when visiting Reigate, but I struggled to warm to the place in its current format and despite the prospect of a decent guest ale, I would probably look elsewhere the next time I'm in town.